Lampizator Valve / Tube Rolling Review Thread

[abeidrov]

Be prepared, the other(s) will follow..
I have 3 rk300b failed now.
But enjoy my tak300b’s at the moment.

This is rather disturbing, especially considering the fact, that RK series are supposed to last longer, than the regular series.

 

[Zero000]

Be prepared, the other(s) will follow..
I have 3 rk300b failed now.
But enjoy my tak300b’s at the moment.

Have you had a refund?

 

[audioquattr]

I got a new one for the first fail. The last 2 are sended through Lampizator to KR factory and we're waiting for new (improved?) badge.
Because there were more (also from others) failed.

 

[audioquattr]

This is rather disturbing, especially considering the fact, that RK series are supposed to last longer, than the regular series.

Yes that's also what i would have thought..

 

[Zero000]

Well I sent a pair back for replacement, mainly because of a manufacturing inconsistency.

Not a good track record.

 

[bonzo75]

@abeidrov , can you please say what your 101d sounds like when you change the recti? Thanks

 

[abeidrov]

I have not tried the other recri (RK) with 101d yet. When I compared Tak recti with RK 300b and 242 and RK recti with those tubes, Tak sounded cleaner and was more resolving with both output tubes. So, I decided that Tak recti is superior to RK one, and left it in the DAC.

It’s a pity, RK 300b failed just when I finally decided to move Tak 300b to the DAC and put RK300b in the amplifier. That would have been fun!

 

[bonzo75]

I have not tried the other recri (RK) with 101d yet. When I compared Tak recti with RK 300b and 242 and RK recti with those tubes, Tak sounded cleaner and was more resolving with both output tubes. So, I decided that Tak recti is superior to RK one, and left it in the DAC.

It’s a pity, RK 300b failed just when I finally decided to move Tak 300b to the DAC and put RK300b in the amplifier. That would have been fun!

Please try 101d with the RK recti and let us know. Would like to know if the 101d sound that you are reporting is more due to a combo with the recti

 

[Golum]

Not to stay just on words but to do something in practice I just received my pair of KR PX25

 

[wisnon]

Beauty!

 

[christoph]

Anyway, I really like what I hear with 101D, the soundstage is quite big, and everything has more body compared to RK 300B. The bass in particular is better defined. I've really expected flat, boring sound from this tube based on what I've read here, but this is not the case in my system.

We experienced flat, boring and a stage in the size of a doll house when we compared the 101d with the other "serious" output tubes in my system.
What we should learn from your experience is that all is system (and taste/personal preference) dependent and that ALL should be tried, even if something is against all odds

 

[audioquattr]

I don't know the normal 101d's but the we101d reps do have a very good 3d soundstage ( i think the best from all the tubes i have) in combination with Tak274b. But mids and midbass is lean and thin. Bass is bit slow and not controlled, same when lampi ed kr5u4 or RK5u4 is used. So i allways roll them again after 30 minutes.

 

[wisnon]

We experienced flat, boring and a stage in the size of a doll house when we compared the 101d with the other "serious" output tubes in my system.
What we should learn from your experience is that all is system (and taste/personal preference) dependent and that ALL should be tried, even if something is against all odds

Chris he used the white base 101d not the WE replica silver base.

Some say the cheaper white base sounds better...

 

[abeidrov]

Maybe, the lean presentation of 101d tubes is what is needed in my case with a SET amplifier and high sensivity speakers? I’ll compare 101d tubes to RK 300b, when I get a replacement pair. Who knows, the new pair of 330b tubes may sound different to the pair, I had before.

 

[bonzo75]

Maybe, the lean presentation of 101d tubes is what is needed in my case with a SET amplifier and high sensivity speakers? I’ll compare 101d tubes to RK 300b, when I get a replacement pair. Who knows, the new pair of 330b tubes may sound different to the pair, I had before.

Just checked, your line stage is coincident. That uses the same 101d valves. Maybe that is helping the synergy. Nice line stage btw, Joel of 6 moons chose it over the Nagra and the Zanden.

Have you tried the elrog 300b with the border Patrol?

 

[abeidrov]

Just checked, your line stage is coincident. That uses the same 101d valves. Maybe that is helping the synergy. Nice line stage btw, Joel of 6 moons chose it over the Nagra and the Zanden.

Have you tried the elrog 300b with the border Patrol?

Thanks, I use WE Replica tubes in the line stage.
I have not tried the new Elrogs and was advised against trying the old ones. As I understood, the old elrogs were not fully compliant with the 300b tube specs.

 

[adamaley]

Thanks, I use WE Replica tubes in the line stage.
I have not tried the new Elrogs and was advised against trying the old ones. As I undertood, the old elrogs were not fully complient with the 300b tube soecs.

The Elrogs have been updated under new ownership and are more reliable now. The failure rates have reportedly dropped to industry standards. I've been using my Elrogs in a Line Magnetic 508ia amp with no issues since March.

 

[audioquattr]

Maybe, the lean presentation of 101d tubes is what is needed in my case with a SET amplifier and high sensivity speakers? I’ll compare 101d tubes to RK 300b, when I get a replacement pair. Who knows, the new pair of 330b tubes may sound different to the pair, I had before.

Yes it’s absolutely system dependent, with my SF futura’s and big7 i loved the 101d reps some years ago. And also the right heathing/bias helps a lot.

 

[abeidrov]

Which tube to try first: KR PX25 or KR PX4? And then, there is RK KR PX4, but I am hesitant to buy another expensive RK tube after what happened to my RK 300b.
It looks like PX25 is a more promising option.

 

[Golum]

Which tube to try first: KR PX25 or KR PX4? And then, there is RK KR PX4, but I am hesitant to buy another expensive RK tube after what happened to my RK 300b.
It looks like PX25 is a more promising option.

Personally I would go with PX25 (which I did) - but again that is just me..